A Year in Reflection of Being an Entrepreneur

The summer is officially over. When Labour day weekend hits, that’s when you know fall is coming. This year has been an absolute rollercoaster. Where I was a year ago is light years different than where I am today.

At this time last year, I was selling insurance and investments to wealthy people and business owners. Today I’m managing this rapidly growing platform, Influencive, I write for big publications, and I’m travelling the world. Pretty much polar opposites.

One thing I do know is that everything happens for a reason. I firmly believe this because even though I hated the insurance and finance world I learned super valuable skills that are irreplaceable. They have given me a different perspective in an industry I knew nothing about.

It gave me a birdseye view into the inefficiencies that consist in an industry full of greed and wealth. This allowed me to realize what my future path needed to be. I can’t recall what day it was but after a few months, I thought to myself that I was selling myself short.

I’ve always had big aspirations to make it big one day. Be someone that others look up to for wisdom and inspiration. That has always been my goal and continues to drive me every day.

The problem I realized when I was a financial advisor was that I was the advisor, not the client. It hit me one day that my entire life I wanted to be the client. So why was I selling myself short by being the advisor?

I always saw myself being a successful business owner who made it big one day and has someone else tell him what to do with his money. The funny thing now is that I will never hire someone to manage my money for me. I’ll make those decisions myself since now I’ve learnt them.

So if you are a financial advisor reading this right now, don’t come trying to sell me something, or have me join your team. That brings me to a funny story. I met a random guy the other week with my wife at the airport before we got on a plane. Very friendly guy and we had a nice conversation.

Before he got off the bus he asked me for my business card. Very weird because I never have anyone ask me for one, or I rarely carry any. Anyways, as soon as I gave him my card and we went our separate ways I told my wife right away, “I bet he’s an insurance salesman”.

Fair enough just last week I got a random call from someone on my phone and it’s buddy from the airport. He called wanting to meet for coffee, etc. I was straight up and told him I’ve been there done that, not for me.

The world works in mysterious ways sometimes. Now I’m not dissing being a financial advisor I just wanted to tell you my story and give you a little context to work with.

Everyone is meant to do something important in life. Whether that be a third-grade teacher, fireman, or professional writer. I feel I was put on earth to build things and unite people around a common goal. The best way I know how to do this is through entrepreneurship. Something I have a deep passion for.

When I decided to take the leap last year and quit my job to go full-time into being an entrepreneur, it was a scary time. There were no guarantees for anything. Looking back on it, makes me think I was a little crazy.

But when I’m sitting on a plane right now like I am 35,000 feet in the air en route to China for an international entrepreneurial conference I got selected to represent Canada at. I think I’m on the right path.

The journey of life takes many twists and turns. Some are expected and lots are unexpected. A constant you need to always remember is that it only matters how you deal with each situation. That’s the true indicator of a successful person in my mind. Someone who’s failed before. Tried multiple things and never gave up until they found something they truly enjoyed, or excelled in.

Society needs over-achievers, not under-achievers.

If you sell yourself short by not asking for that raise you think you’re worth or starting that side hustle in your basement that’s been in your head for months. You’re only hurting yourself. And at times your friends and family, because of how proud they are of you to aim high.

When you make it big one day, you can look back and say you know what, I tried a thousand things until I found that one thing that really worked for me. It got me to where I am today and I’m thankful for that.

If you get something from my post I want it to be that if you are unsatisfied with where you are today, do something about it. You are in charge of your destiny, so take the leap.

Taking a leap for anything you are not 100% sure about is a frightening experience. I’ve done it lots of times. My family doesn’t even ask or know what I do anymore because I never settled for anything in life. In their eyes, this is me giving up and not giving something a worthy short.

In my eyes, if I felt something wasn’t right in my gut, or I couldn’t picture myself doing this for the next 5-10 years. I got out. I did this because I had new opportunities come up that were better than what I was currently doing.

In life, you need to take chances, plain and simple.
If there is something holding you back from starting a business, or asking for that promotion put it in the comments below and I will personally reply with my recommendations.

This is a Contributor Post. Opinions expressed here are opinions of the Contributor. Influencive does not endorse or review brands mentioned; does not and cannot investigate relationships with brands, products, and people mentioned and is up to the Contributor to disclose. Contributors, amongst other accounts and articles may be professional fee-based.

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